Allison's POV.The following day, I positioned myself at a café across the street from Jessica's office building, blending in with the morning crowd. Disguised in a simple outfit with a hat and sunglasses, I could watch without drawing attention. My plan was already set in motion, and I waited with cold anticipation for the next phase to unfold.Inside Jessica's office, her colleagues were going about their day, unaware of the storm about to hit. Jessica herself was in a meeting with several executives, discussing an upcoming public relations campaign. Her confidence, though shaken from the night before, had mostly returned. She believed the threats were over, just a bad dream.Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the conference room. Jessica's assistant burst in, her face pale and eyes wide. "Jessica, you need to come out here. Now."Jessica frowned, irritated by the interruption. "I'm in the middle of a meeting. This better be important.""It is," the assistant insisted, her vo
Allison's POV.The satisfaction of watching Jessica crumble had been a sweet yet fleeting victory. But it wasn't enough. I wanted to ensure her ruin was absolute, that every piece of her carefully constructed world fell apart. The final step in my plan was both the most audacious and the most personal. I had devised a scheme so perfect and devastating that it would obliterate everything Jessica had worked for. This time, I had enlisted the help of a brilliant but ruthless hacker and a few loyal allies who specialized in psychological warfare. Our target: Jessica’s highly esteemed charity gala—an event she had carefully planned and was set to host in a week. The night before the gala, I put on my most perfect disguise: a sophisticated masquerade mask and an elegant gown that would blend seamlessly with the high-society crowd. My team and I had worked tirelessly to infiltrate the event, ensuring every detail was perfectly executed. We were about to deliver the most significant blow y
Allison's POV.The next day.We parked the bus along the edge of a secluded riverbank. Mia, another girl from our team, Jen, and I set up a small picnic outside the bus. We had been traveling for days, seeking some respite from the intensity of the recent events.As we sat on the grass, munching on sandwiches and sipping from our thermoses, the night air was filled with a peaceful stillness. It was an opposite to the chaos we had left behind. The quiet gave me a moment to reflect, and I found myself staring at the gentle flow of the river, lost in thought.Mia broke the silence. "So, Allison, now that you've taken your revenge on both Williams and Jessica, what’s next for you? How do you plan to live your life?"I sighed, contemplating her question. "You know, Mia, I've been thinking a lot about that. Revenge has driven me for so long, it feels strange to be free of that burden. But now, I want to focus on living life on my own terms. I want to continue working as an espionage agent,
Williams POV.The auction room buzzed with energy, excitement and tension hanging in the air like static. Crystal chandeliers illuminated the room, as well-dressed attendees were seated elegantly at the tables. The auctioneer stood on a raised platform, his voice sounding in the hall as he introduced the next item."Ladies and gentlemen, our next piece is 'The Dancer in Bronze,' a stunning sculpture by the renowned artist Henri Duval. Bidding starts at one million dollars."I sat near the front, my eyes fixed on the sculpture. Its graceful form captured my attention, and I knew I had to have it. I raised my paddle, confident that no one would outbid me. "One million," I called out, my voice steady."One point two million," a voice countered from the back. I glanced around, trying to see who had the audacity to bid against me."One point five million," I said, raising my paddle higher. The auctioneer nodded, acknowledging my bid.The room was filled with the soft murmurs of the crowd,
Williams POV.Because I needed to be alone, to process everything that had happened, I had dismissed my driver and convoy of bodyguards earlier, before I even went to the auction event. So, I was driving alone. The night was cool, the roads quiet as I navigated the familiar route to my mother’s house. She had always been a source of comfort and wisdom, and tonight, I needed that more than ever.I pulled up to her house, the soft glow from the windows welcoming me. As I walked up the steps and knocked on the door, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. It had been a long day, and I was feeling every minute of it.She opened the door with a warm smile. "Williams, darling! What a surprise." She hugged me tightly, her warmth seeping into my bones."Hello, Mother," I said, hugging her back. "I needed to see you."She stepped back, holding me at arm's length to study my face. "You look troubled. What's wrong?"I forced a smile. "It's nothing, really. Just a long day."Her eyes narrowed,
Williams POV. Flashback… It all happened five years ago. I remember that day vividly—it was a terrible one. Everything that could go wrong had gone wrong, from losing a crucial business deal to my car breaking down in the middle of a downpour. By the time I trudged into the small café to escape the rain, I was soaked to the bone and thoroughly miserable. I was just about to order a coffee when I noticed her. She was sitting in the corner, a book in hand, and she was unlike anyone I had ever seen. She was chubby, with soft, round cheeks and warm, brown eyes that lit up every time she turned a page. There was an aura of innocence about her, a sense of quiet contentment that drew me in. "Excuse me, is this seat taken?" I asked, pointing to the chair opposite her. She looked up, surprised, and shook her head. "No, go ahead." I sat down, grateful for the company, even if it was silent. After a few minutes, she glanced at me and smiled shyly. "You look like you've had a rough day
Allison's POV.I stepped out of my car and walked into the lively buzz of downtown. Edward Blackwood’s insistence on a second date had caught me off guard, but curiosity and a bit of intrigue led me to agree. The restaurant I was headed to was a sophisticated blend of modern and classic, its ambiance set just right for a conversation that I knew would be more than just small talk.Edward was already waiting for me when I arrived, standing by the entrance with an easy, confident smile. He was dressed in a dark suit, his demeanor effortlessly suave. I had to admit, there was something disarmingly charming about him. “Good evening, Allison,” he greeted, his voice smooth and inviting as he took my coat and handed it to the hostess. “I’m glad you could make it.”“Evening, Edward,” I replied, matching his smile with one of my own. “Thanks for the invite. This place looks amazing.”We were seated at a private table by the window, overlooking the city lights. The waiter brought us drinks—a
Williams POV.I was deep in the trenches of paperwork, the endless array of financial reports and legal documents offering a rare distraction from the storm of emotions swirling in my mind. The numbers and figures provided a temporary escape, a fragile sanctuary from the turmoil that seemed to define my life lately.It was late and quiet, just as I wanted it to be.Suddenly, the silence was shattered when Jonathan, my assistant, burst through the door, looking disheveled and nearly breathless. His appearance was enough to pull me sharply from my focus. “William, I need to tell you something urgent,” Jonathan gasped, his voice strained.I glanced up, my brows knitting together in concern. “Jonathan, what’s going on? You look like you’ve been running a marathon.”He took a moment to steady his breath, his eyes wide with something I couldn’t immediately place. “It’s about Allison. She was shot tonight.”The words hit me like a sledgehammer. My heart dropped, and I struggled to process t
Allison's POV.Two months had passed since that nightmare, and Jessica was finally where she belonged: back in prison. Turns out, she had escaped with the help of her five-star general brother, James. But justice had a way of catching up to people like her. She was given more life sentences, no chance of parole this time, and James? Stripped of his rank, kicked out of the military, and sentenced to 15 years behind bars. The news was the most satisfying thing I’d heard in a long time.And Viktor Romanov? He couldn’t take the heat. The torture got to him. He’d ended his own life rather than face more of what was coming to him. It was hard to feel anything for him, knowing what he’d done to me, but at least that chapter was closed.I was still healing, but at least I was on my feet again. Viktoh had given me a six-month leave, after everything I’d suffered, and I wasn’t about to argue. I needed the time away. Time to breathe, to heal, to focus on what truly mattered.And today, it was ti
Allison's POV.My chest tightened, but I forced myself to sit up straighter. She shouldn’t be here. "You’re supposed to be in prison," I said, my voice steady despite the flood of memories—memories of how she had turned my life upside down, destroyed everything I had with Williams, and left me broken in more ways than one.Jessica’s smile only widened, her eyes gleaming with malice. "I got out." Her tone was casual, like she was discussing the weather. She stepped closer, and I could feel the venom between us. This woman… she had ruined everything. She had turned Williams against me, manipulated him, and made sure I lost our baby that night when I ran through the rain, heartbroken. That accident had ripped my world apart, and Jessica’s hands were all over it.And even after I came back, stronger and more dangerous than before, Jessica hadn’t stopped. She had tried to kill me more times than I could count. The desperation in her had reached insane levels, trying to trap Williams with
Allison’s POVThe steady beeping of the machines was the only sound filling the room, but I couldn’t focus on it. The sharp scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, making the sterile hospital walls seem even colder. My body ached in ways I hadn’t known were possible, but I was alive. I was here.The door creaked open softly, and I turned my head. It took a second for my eyes to adjust, but then I saw him—Williams, standing in the doorway, looking at me with an expression I couldn’t quite place. Was it relief? Concern?He stepped inside, his movements tentative, like he wasn’t sure if he should be here. His gaze swept over me, taking in the IVs, the bruises, the bandages. I could tell he was trying to hold it together, but the tension in his jaw gave him away.“Williams,” I whispered, my voice was shaky and low. I watched as he came closer, his eyes scanning my face. There was something in his expression I hadn't seen before—a softness, a vulnerability. When he reached my bedside, I
Jessica's POV.“Jessica?”I smirked as his voice rang through the office, laced with confusion. He hadn’t expected this. He hadn’t expected me. I slowly pulled back the hood of my jacket, revealing my face. His eyes widened, disbelief washing over his usually composed expression."Surprised to see me?" I asked, my voice light, teasing. I watched him carefully, savoring every second of his stunned reaction. His jaw tightened, but he said nothing at first, his sharp gaze piercing into me like daggers."I was released last week." I gave him a coy smile, stepping further into the office, the click of my heels sounding in the silence. His office was just as I remembered it—cold, impersonal, like the man who sat behind the desk. But I wasn’t here for the decor.Williams’s face remained hardened, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—anger, or maybe it was disgust. Either way, I had expected it.“What do you want, Jessica?” His voice was firm, devoid of any warmth or welcome.
Allison's POV.I blinked against the sterile light filtering in through the window, the room coming into focus in slow, painful waves. My body ached, every inch of me reminding me of what I had been through. But the confusion in my mind was worse. I didn’t know where I was, or how I had gotten here. The hospital.The smell of antiseptic, the steady beeping of machines—it was unmistakable. I was in a hospital bed, covered in bandages, weak and barely able to move. I tried to piece together how I’d ended up here. The last thing I remembered was Viktor, his cold, merciless eyes glaring down at me as his men... My stomach twisted at the memory. The torture, the pain. It was all too vivid, too raw.How did I survive?I shifted slightly, wincing as the pain flared across my ribs. That’s when I noticed Mia, fast asleep in the chair beside me, her head resting awkwardly on the armrest. She looked exhausted, her hair messy, dark circles under her eyes. “Mia?” My voice came out hoarse, barely
Williams POV.The world outside the ambulance blurred as we sped toward the hospital. My heart was pounding, faster than it ever had before. Mia sat across from me, her eyes wide and focused on Allison’s frail form, but all I could do was hold her hand, feeling the warmth slowly fade from her skin.“Allison, hold on,” I whispered, more to myself than to her. Her chest barely moved, her breaths shallow and ragged. I gripped her hand tighter, my throat burning. I was losing her.Mia’s voice cut through the suffocating silence, soft but steady. “She’s strong, Williams. She’ll pull through.”I didn’t answer. The weight of everything bore down on me like a heavy stone pressing against my chest. Her bruised face was a reminder of what they had done. Of what I couldn’t protect her from. Every bump in the road felt like a countdown.As we reached the hospital, paramedics rushed to pull her stretcher out, shouting medical jargon I couldn’t understand. My legs felt weak as I at my side, but my
Williams POV.The smell of blood and gunpowder filled the air. The gunfire was deafening, bullets ricocheting off the metal walls of the factory. I could barely hear Viktoh shouting orders to the team, but my eyes were locked on one thing. Her.Allison.She was barely seen through the smoke and chaos, slumped in a chair in the middle of the room, her body bound and battered. Blood stained her clothes, her face was swollen and bruised beyond recognition. It was as if someone had taken all the light out of her. My heart stopped.Viktor Romanov and his men were hunkered down, exchanging fire with Edward and the rest of the team. Edward was pushing forward with calculated aggression, taking out one of Viktor’s men before he had a chance to reload. Viktoh's men moved in, flanking the room, trapping Viktor’s crew.“Take them down!” Viktoh shouted, his voice cutting through the noise.Romanov’s eyes flicked to me for just a second, a twisted smile playing on his lips. He knew what he had don
Williams POV.Five days. Five long, agonizing days since Allison disappeared. And now, I was standing in warehouse next to the one man I despised more than anything—Edward Blackwood. The fact that I even agreed to work with him felt like a betrayal of my own pride, but this was about Allison, not me. I reminded myself of that, over and over.Allison.She was out there, somewhere, in Viktor Romanov’s hands. And if anyone could survive what that monster was capable of, it was her. She was a fighter. I knew it. But as each day passed, doubt began to creep into my mind.I looked at Edward out of the corner of my eye. His jaw was clenched so tight, I could see the muscles twitching in his face. The man was a damn brute, always had been. But there was no denying he was useful in moments like these. He didn’t just sit back and wait for things to fall into place like most people. He took action, even if that action was reckless.Right now, we needed that recklessness."Tell me what you know,
Allison's POV.The pain had no beginning or end. It was everywhere, all at once. I couldn’t tell if my heart was racing or if it had stopped altogether, but I felt the rhythm of agony pulsing through every nerve in my body. My wrists were raw from the ropes that bound me, and I could feel blood pooling beneath me where the chair had already cut into my skin. I barely registered the cold, metallic floor beneath me anymore; all I could feel was the endless, burning pain.Viktor’s shadow was over me, the twisted grin on his face searing itself into my memory. He wasn’t done. I knew it. He was just getting started. Every time I thought I couldn’t take more, he found a new way to make me suffer."Bring her back," he commanded, his voice sharp and cruel. He gestured to one of his men with a flick of his wrist. "I want to hear her scream."A ragged breath left my lips, a pitiful sound I hated myself for making. I tried to prepare myself, tried to push the pain away, but when I saw what the m